Montreal, August 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Morocco Strategic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: MCC) is excited to announce the results from comprehensive trench sampling both underground and at the surface in Ouneine, along with a recent series of selective samples taken from Tanfit and Ijoukak, as the Company continues to define its drilling targets in the Western High Atlas district of Morocco.

Key Highlights

The exploration efforts have yielded promising results:

  • Ouneine Underground Gallery A: A total of 77 channel samples were collected across 15 sections. Eight sections reported copper (Cu) grades exceeding 1.0%, with the highest being 5.74% Cu and 39 g/t silver (Ag) over 2.1 meters, including 13.18% Cu and 88 g/t Ag over 0.9 meters.
  • Surface Trench Sampling at Ouneine: 34 samples were collected from 13 trenches. Six trenches reported Cu grades above 1.0%, including 1.55% Cu and 199 g/t Ag over 2.0 meters and 1.25% Cu over 4.0 meters.
  • Tanfit: Five of the six underground point samples from Gallery 17 reported Cu grades higher than 2.0%, with concentrations reaching 7.76% Cu and 42 g/t Ag. Historical stock sampling also revealed multiple high-grade copper results, including up to 23.60% Cu and 40 g/t Ag, 22.00% Cu and 50 g/t Ag, and 16.32% Cu and 115 g/t Ag.
  • Ijoukak: Fifteen of the sixteen underground point samples from the historical galleries at levels 1670 and 1700 reported Cu grades exceeding 1.0%. All eleven samples from level 1670 showed Cu concentrations above 1.0%, with nine exceeding 4.0%, reaching up to 27.68% Cu. The galleries at level 1700 yielded Cu grades of up to 26.43% Cu and 23.47% Cu.

These results are currently being integrated into geological and structural mapping to refine and prioritize drilling targets throughout the Western High Atlas district. A systematic trench sampling and three-dimensional interpretation are aimed at advancing the most clearly defined targets towards the drilling phase.

In-Depth Sampling Results

The trench sampling at Ouneine involved a total of 77 channel samples collected from 15 accessible sections of the underground Gallery A. The sampled lengths ranged from 1.6 to 3.0 meters, with composite grades calculated using length-weighted analysis. The copper grades per section varied from 0.17% to 5.74% Cu, with eight sections showing an average grade above 1.0% Cu and three sections exceeding 2.0% Cu.

Similarly, the surface trench sampling involved 34 samples (excluding blank, standard, and duplicate control samples) collected from 13 surface trenches, confirming the presence of local copper-silver mineralization and indicating additional areas for geological and structural exploration.

At Tanfit, the exploration program continued with selective rock sampling from accessible underground galleries and associated historical stockpiles. Notable results from underground sampling in Gallery 17 included Cu grades as high as 7.76% Cu. Historical stock sampling also showed Cu grades exceeding 1.0%, justifying the need for detailed geological mapping and systematic trench sampling of accessible underground galleries.

Overall, the sampling efforts at Ijoukak revealed that 20 out of 22 exploration samples reported copper grades exceeding 1.0%, which are now being integrated into the geological and structural mapping to refine drilling target classifications.

As reported by globenewswire.com.